Vegan 5-Spice Soba Noodle Recipe with Chef Jean

by Mary Papoulias-Platis

When we were invited to attend this vegan book signing at Melissa’s Produce I was a little apprehensive to attend. Why? I took one look at the thickness of this cookbook and felt intimidated of it’s content. Vegan Author, Chef Jean wrote the largest and most thorough book on Vegan food I have ever seen. With over 800 recipes, you will always have a reason to turn to his book for any advice on vegan cooking.

But it’s a gem to add to your collection, in other words I’m keeping my copy. I have cooked from it several times already, and have so much more to learn, Below is the recipe I chose which was the Five-Spice Stir-Fried Soba Noodles. Unbelievably unique and a keeper.

When we arrived at Melissa’s we had the most beautiful and delicious luncheon prepared for us. I feel it was the best one yet. His dishes varied with worldwide spices, varieties of unique vegetables and unique techniques. For example he used thinly sliced daikon radish for wrappers in this lovely refreshing avocado and micro greens appetizer.

This quinoa salad was refreshing and a treat to eat with the fruity mango dressing that accompanied it. He paired the mango dressing with ginger, lemon zest, and a vegan cream. Oh my!

These were absolutely over the top appetizers. Stuffed with all my favorite ingredients oranges, olives, and capers. I think I ate 5 or so of these!

The BEST dessert are these Pomegranate and Semolina Cakes with rose water and almonds what can go wrong? These I stuffed into my purse for later, as we drove back home.

This menu and day was so very special and the Chef was the kindness and talented man with patience of a soul as he explained and defined his version of Vegan food.

Let’s get started!

Have your ingredients all measured out, which we call mise en place. Very important in a stir-fry recipe where you need them all at once.